Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a syndrome caused by an impairment in the heart’s ability to fill with and pump blood.

Your heart is still working. But because it can’t handle the amount of blood it should, blood builds up in other parts of your body. Most of the time, it collects in your lungs, legs and feet.

Although symptoms vary based on which side of the heart is affected, heart failure typically presents with shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, and bilateral leg swelling.

Chronic heart failure results in significant morbidity and mortality, thus patients with heart failure need regular monitoring at least every 6 months.

Novel Practice CHF Service

We are delighted to introduce a new way of delivering our practice chronic heart failure service in order to achieve the best possible care for our patients. It is crucial that patients with heart failure have a regular check-ups.

As there is currently no recall system in place through the GHS (General Healthcare System), we have developed a system to inform you of the tests and checks you need to have done in a year (see table below).

Please ensure you have had your blood, urine and tests done before coming to see the nurse.

You will be invited to see the nurse for a biannual review, during which you will go through a checklist.

Bi-annual Review Appointments

You will need to book your very first heart failure review appointment yourself.

Once you see the nurse and doctor for the first time, we will arrange a follow-up appointment in 6 months. On the day of your first appointment, you will also see your personal doctor who will talk you through a checklist and provide advice on future management.

Please ask your doctor to order your blood and urine test online, after which you can visit a laboratory of your choice to have your tests done.

CHF Tests